Learn how to call for help during outdoor emergencies, including what information to give, how to communicate your location and what to do while waiting for assistance.
Knowing when to ask for help is an important outdoor skill, but it is one that can easily be overlooked. When you’re exploring somewhere new, something doesn’t feel right or you simply don’t know what to do, speaking up can make a situation much easier to deal with. Asking for help isn’t a sign that…
Activity Overview Difficulty: BeginnerTime: 30–45 minutesLocation: Suitable indoor or outdoor training areaBest for: Scouts, Explorers and outdoor enthusiastsSkills: Communication, radio skills, spelling, emergency communication, accuracy, teamwork The phonetic alphabet is a standard way of spelling letters aloud so that they are less likely to be misunderstood. The most widely used version is the NATO phonetic…
Activity Overview Difficulty: BeginnerTime: 45–60 minutesLocation: Suitable indoor or outdoor training areaBest for: Scouts and ExplorersSkills: Communication, emergency signalling, navigation, decision-making, teamwork, situational awareness Emergency communication is the ability to get the right information to the right person quickly and clearly when something goes wrong. The most important message is not necessarily the longest one….
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Woodlands can look peaceful and familiar, but they are still natural environments with hazards that can change with the weather and season. Before heading out, consider the forecast, your route, daylight hours and the equipment you need. If you’re part of a Scout group or organised activity, follow your leader’s instructions and…
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST Survival skills are designed to help you manage unexpected situations, not encourage unnecessary risk. The best survival strategy is to avoid getting into trouble in the first place through good planning, appropriate equipment and sensible decision-making. If you’re lost, injured or facing a genuine emergency, contact the appropriate emergency services as soon…
Getting Lost Outdoors Most people don’t expect to get lost. You set off knowing roughly where you’re going. You follow a path. You take a turning. Then another. And suddenly the landscape doesn’t look quite right. Perhaps the path has disappeared. Maybe visibility has fallen. Your phone battery is running low. Or you’ve simply realised…
Calling for Help: What to Do in an Emergency Knowing what to do when something goes wrong is one of the most important survival skills you can learn. You might become lost, someone might become injured, weather conditions could deteriorate, or your group could find itself in a situation that it can’t safely manage. In…
